New and Improved dirted tank-56k

[Patriot]

This is tank is a 15 gallon tank made by the Japanese company GEX. The two front corners are rounded while the back two are bordered with black plastic. The bottom isn't just glass, it is reinforced with plastic on the bottom outside. It came with a light fixture with two built in power outlets for the filter and anything else to attach to.




I finally got around to dirting this tank after waiting more than 30 days for my mgopm which i still didn't get. I went out and acquired some dirt to throw in. I notice that the Japanese don't really have a big selection of potting mix as most of their dirt is meant to be used outside or for veggies. I ended up getting a 10-12lbs bag for only $5, the soil isn't like mgomp but it will due for now.


This bag was dirt cheap. Dirt cheap get it because it's dirt..HAHAHA

The dirt wasn't a dark black color that most of us are use to, but instead a light brown with clay in it. It also had very few perlite so I wasn't too bummed when I found there was some in here after buying it. It also had a bit of wood chips and other decaying stuff in it, I picked out the biggest pieces but left the rest to decompose later.


i added a peat base potting soil on the bottom because I read that peat helps the plants absorb more and the bacteria will benefit form it more. The soil contained a wetting agent so I wouldn't use it with fish unless that stuff wears off after being submerged. It had more perlite than I last remembered, but I wasn't too worried since it was going to be on the bottom.




I seeded the bottom with bacter 100 to give the soil a head start with microbes. Mulm was going to be my first choice to seed the soil with but i didn't feel like mulm hunting. I also put grounded up leaves, clay, and root medic ferts in the bottom too before covering it up. I know people say not to put organics in the very bottom because of gas build up harming fish, but I wanted to add extra organics since I only have plants. I also read that the organics will bind with the clay and work better or something.




I also added more dirt than the 1 inch everyone advises to use. I would like to see wear in the rule book that said only inch can be used. Plus it will be good for the plants to spread their roots out more.



After filling it three times to remove debris I added plants from my Hygrophila grow out tank. I also have crypt parva in the center and anubais. I plan on adding a sword maybe in there too, but I don't want to waste money when I have a grow out tank to supply plants.


Why buy when that tank supplies me with good plants like this.

• As of now I only have a penguin 150 running with the bio-wheel removed until I can get a koralia nano. I wanted a canister but I have no where to put it, plus I don't think a plant only tank would need a canister anyhow.

• At some point in the future I would like to get a T-8 to T-5 adapter for my fixture. Instead of buying a new one because I love the power outlet idea.
• I do need to find a way to clear up the water even more, compared to the other tanks it appears dusty.

I'm interested in seeing how much I can fill it in before tearing it down.

[mallardman12]

Looks good! What are you gonna use to fill up the right side?

[Patriot]

I want to add swords or something.

[dragonsong93]

Cool I really need to try and make a dirt tank someday..

Are you planning on putting in any fish or shrimp?

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by dragonsong93

Cool I really need to try and make a dirt tank someday..

Are you planning on putting in any fish or shrimp?

I would put some in but I'll be moving in 3 months so I don't want to waste fish/shrimp.

[frrok]

Finally! Looking good. Great start. I think your sub mix is going to turn out great.

[Patriot]

I hope so too.

[cableguy69846]

That seems like a lot of work just to tear down in 3 months. But it is going to rock for those 3 months. Are you going to be doing any regular fert dosing or CO2 of any sort?

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by cableguy69846

That seems like a lot of work just to tear down in 3 months. But it is going to rock for those 3 months. Are you going to be doing any regular fert dosing or CO2 of any sort?

I wanted to practice so when I get to my next base I would know what to do. I also didn't want a tank sitting there empty. I will do ferts and DIY CO2 for the moment. Hopefully some time in the next 4-6 month I'll have Pressurized CO2.

[1aqumfish]

You can break the rule about the depth of the dirt. Just make sure that you keep it growing and you will be fine. Nice start.

[Patriot]

I'm going out today to see if I can find some swords or crypts to try....never had them before.

[cableguy69846]

Originally Posted by Patriot100%

I wanted to practice so when I get to my next base I would know what to do. I also didn't want a tank sitting there empty. I will do ferts and DIY CO2 for the moment. Hopefully some time in the next 4-6 month I'll have Pressurized CO2.

Not bad. Any future plans for livestock?

What branch of the military, if you don't mind me derailing for a moment.

Crypts should love that tank. All the good stuff in the dirt should send them into a growing frenzy.

[Patriot]

Originally Posted by cableguy69846

Not bad. Any future plans for livestock?

What branch of the military, if you don't mind me derailing for a moment.

Crypts should love that tank. All the good stuff in the dirt should send them into a growing frenzy.

I will put livestock in once I get resettled in at my new base. If I do get something now its going to be cheap and easy to care for so I can give it away before I leave.

I'm in the Air Force as a Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, I fix and troubleshoot Jet Engines.

Hopefully I find some root feeding plants to go in it.

[cableguy69846]

Originally Posted by Patriot100%

I will put livestock in once I get resettled in at my new base. If I do get something now its going to be cheap and easy to care for so I can give it away before I leave.

I'm in the Air Force as a Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, I fix and troubleshoot Jet Engines.

Hopefully I find some root feeding plants to go in it.

Got ya. I don't blame you for doing plants only right now. Much easier to deal with and move.

That is a lot of big words. Lol. Sounds interesting though. I wouldn't mind working on a big engine like that. Do you actually get wrench time, or is everything you do computer?

Crypts will be great for that. Any carpet plants in mind?

[Patriot]

Is it possible to grow good plants under a t8 light fixture


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